Early Detection
Risk Assesment
Treatment
The Optimal Care Pathway
The Optimal Care Pathways describe the Standard Of Care that should be available to all Skin Cancer patients being treated. The Pathway support patients and encourage consistent Optimal Treatment and supportive care at each stage of a patient’s journey.
Step 1
Prevention & Early Detection
Solar radiation is the major environmental cause of all skin cancers.
We encourage to use a combination of sun protection measures whenever UV index levels are 3 or above
(during sun protection times).
Step 2
Presentation, Initial Investigations & Referral
The following is investigated by a GP:
Any new or changing skin lesions or lesions that do not respond to treatment
A rapidly growing skin lesion that remains unresolved after a month.
SCC: Induration (thickening) or tenderness in the erythematous base of a scaling lesion.
Step 3
Diagnosis, Staging & Treatment Planning
Before specialist referral, patients should have had a complete skin check recently.
Specialist management may include: Complete excision or re-excision with recommended margins, imaging including medical photography (in some circumstances), radiation therapy or reconstructive surgery.
Step 4
Treatment
Your Doctor will discuss treatment options with you as well as risks and benefits of advance care planning.
Surgery involves excision with an adequate margin of skin and subcutaneous tissue – usually fat.
Margincontrol surgery may be considered for some patients.
Curettage and diathermy may be an option for some keratinocyte cancers. Referral to a specialist plastic surgeon may be required.